Herbalism
Herbalism is the traditional and folk medicinal practice using plants as well as plant extracts. This alternative form of medicine is also known as phytotherapy. There are three major traditions which use herbs since ancient times: Ayurveda from India, Chinese herbal medicine and the Western herbal medicines based on Greek and Roman sources.
Many pharmaceuticals which are currently presented as allopathic medicine have been used for ages as herbal remedies such as aspirin, quinine, digitalis, and opium. Digoxin is derived from foxglove, quinine from cinchona, codeine and morphine from poppy etc.
There is evidence that people have been using herbs as medicine throughout history, relying on the powdered supplements, tinctures, skin creams and herbal teas to treat everything ranging from skin conditions to psychological disorders. Herbal supplements are also called botanicals and made from flowers, roots, leaves and the bark of plants.
Currently, herbal treatment consists of teas, capsules filled with powdered herbs or liquids, oils, bath salts, skin ointments and creams.
Who is an herbalist?
Herbalist is a healer who uses plants for healing. They are not medical doctors but can be known as medical herbalists. A herbalist attempts to get to the root of the illness. Practitioners select the herbs based on the ailments and symptoms described by the patient during consultation. They perform clinical exam too, inspecting the body to create a personalized prescription. Patients can use only one herbal remedy or a combination of herbal remedies/ supplements.
Herbalists study the subject in certain colleges in the UK and US, though there is no common certification or training program. The American Herbalist Guild (AHG) offer certifications and memberships. To apply for the title of Registered Herbalist, the AHG needs 400 hours of training as well as clinical experience. Other colleges offer graduate degrees in clinical herbal medicine where students learn to combine science and traditional herbal medicine.
Herbalists study human sciences that include physiology, anatomy, biochemistry, nutrition, pharmacy, dispensing, botany, plant science, evidence-based research in botany.
Always seek a licensed herbalist for your herbal treatments.
Why should you see an herbalist?
You should not consider herbalism as the main form of therapy, and replace your doctor. Herbal remedies are effective and can help in many issues if you want to get better without using medicated treatments. Some ailments, emotional and mental trauma, non-clinical depression, anxiety, nervousness, and physical ailments such as chronic pain in the body, skin rashes, indigestion – these and more can be treated successfully with herbalism.
You could also get advice for altering lifestyle habits and the way you eat. Herbalists can work out healthy nutrition plans for you. Eating healthy would solve most of your problems and prevent major disorders and diseases. If you have weight issues then incorporating healthy eating habits into your lifestyle will help to maintain the correct weight.
Your herbalist can help to cook healthy using the healthiest organic, pesticide free ingredients – delicious cakes and cookies need not be off your menu if they are made using things which are good for you!
Pain and stress can be managed with your herbalist’s advice. There are many herbal remedies that have been proven over time, in fact, these remedies have been used for hundreds of years to manage chronic pain, depression, and anxiety, simple first-aid, flu care, cough remedies, and more.
If you have trouble sleeping, you can find a remedy in herbalism. This method of holistic healing is perfect for you if you want to transform your lifestyle into one which is healthy for you as well as for the environment.